Adam MacNamara and Thomas Loughrey build up speed. Photograph: Ruth Griffin
KILLANENA came out in force for a tractor/truck/vintage car/motorbike run with all proceeds going towards baby Leon O’Mahony.
Canny’s Bar was the starting point as young and old gathered in the East Clare village for the fundraiser which to date has brought in over €6,800.
Funds raised will allow Leon to get the intensive physiotherapy he needs both inside and outside the home, it will also assist with the addition of a sensory room within the family home and to allow him get required equipment.
Born prematurely on May 10th last year weighing just 1lb 15oz, Leon is the son of Ennis based Michelle Lyons and Barry O’Mahony.
At just three days old he suffered a pulmonary haemorrhage in his lungs, followed by a severe grade IV IVH (Intraventricular haemorrhage) on the left hand side of his brain and a grade II IVH on the right hand side of his brain. Following this, his blood pressure and sugar levels became increasingly difficult to manage and he became critical with his chance of survival very slim with each hour being crucial. At five days old, he was christened with his parents and grandparents at his incubator side. Leon continued to fight like the fighter he was and continued to improve but just three days later he had another major hurdle to overcome as his bowel spontaneously perforated.
He was flown by Irish Air corps to Temple Street Hospital where he underwent lifesaving surgery the following day. Further hurdles followed and after 120 days, Leon was finally able to leave the Neonatal unit.
Leon has constantly had to overcome hurdles and was recently diagnosed with cerebral palsy. “By having this tractor run it can help Leon in so many ways as he has fought such a battle to be where he is today by sure strength and determination. Our wish is to help him continue and help him achieve what he wants and needs in life as he is a determined lovable little rogue,” his parents explained.
